Economic Development Program Manager (Project/Program Manager IV)

King County • Seattle, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Economic Development Program Manager (Project/Program Manager IV) supports strategic economic development in King County’s unincorporated areas. Working from the Director’s Office in the Department of Local Services and reporting to the External Relations Manager, this role leads the creation and implementation of programs that grow jobs and the tax base, including developing area business plans, supporting new business ventures, and strengthening existing businesses. The manager builds strong public-private partnerships, collaborates with economic development organizations, and serves as a subject matter expert and liaison between unincorporated communities, including ethnic business groups—and developers pursuing housing and commercial projects. The role also coordinates rural economic efforts with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks and the Executives Office and provides technical assistance for urban and subarea planning. This position works closely with subarea planners, outreach staff, and department leadership to advance economic development countywide. Candidates must be committed to racial, social, and economic equity. The Department of Local Services values equity, respect, and partnership and is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering inclusive, thriving communities. About the Department of Local Services: King County is the local service provider for the roughly one quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; collectively, these communities would be the second largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, Road Services, and Permitting divisions, as well as long-range planning, code writing, subarea planning, community service area liaison and comprehensive planning teams. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas of King County. Our Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity and Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.

Requirements

• Experience supporting community, economic, business, nonprofit, outreach, or public service activities — experience may be paid, volunteer, or community-based.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse communities, stakeholders, businesses, and partners.
• Skills in organizing projects, coordinating activities, and managing multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen, collaborate, and engage respectfully across cultures and communities.
• Ability to write business plans, reports, or requirements.
• Commitment to applying equity, racial, and social justice principles in daily work.
• Ability to use common digital tools (such as email, spreadsheets, or basic data platforms) and willingness to learn additional tools as needed.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in fast-paced or evolving environments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in community development, economic development, business district work, small business support, or related fields.
• Experience working with communities of color, immigrants, refugees, rural communities, small business owners, or other historically underserved groups.
• Experience facilitating meetings, conducting outreach, or presenting information to community groups, organizations, or the public.
• Familiarity with land-use concepts, zoning, development processes, or policy work.
• Experience with grant funding processes, resource development, or program budgeting.
• Experience coordinating cross-departmental, cross-agency, or multi-stakeholder projects.
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, or support data-informed decision-making.
• Multilingual or bilingual abilities.
• Experience applying innovative thinking, creative problem solving, or process improvement approaches such as LEAN.

Responsibilities

• Lead Countywide Economic Development Strategy: Develop and implement long-term economic development plans for unincorporated King County, integrating equity, racial, and social justice principles into all strategies and initiatives.
• Strengthen Business Districts and Support Small Businesses: Design, manage, and deliver programs that promote business district vitality, support small and minority-owned businesses, and foster business retention, expansion, and new ventures.
• Build Partnerships and Engage Communities: Cultivate strong relationships with community organizations, chambers of commerce, business groups, and development partners. Serve as a liaison between unincorporated communities and private developers.
• Coordinate Cross-Departmental and Policy Efforts: Collaborate with County departments to address economic challenges, support land-use and subarea planning, and provide economic development insights for policy and budget decisions.
• Secure Funding and Manage Resources: Identify, pursue, and manage diverse funding sources—including grants, REET, and public-private partnerships—to support economic development programs and business district improvements.
• Manage Programs and Lead Staff: Oversee program operations, supervise a small team, track performance metrics, and ensure efficient, equitable, and effective delivery of economic development services.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability.
• We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact.
• As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve.
• Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed